Yuzvendra Chahal and Wanindu Hasaranga, top two on the IPL 2022 purple cap chart, will face off on Friday when the Rajasthan Royals take on the Royal Challengers Bangalore in Qualifier 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. 

Chahal currently is the season’s highest wicket-taker with 26 scalps in 15 matches. The 31-year-old has delivered at an average of 17.76 and economy rate of 7.70. 

Hasaranga, second, has taken 25 wickets in 15 games for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. He has bowled at an average of 16.16 and economy rate of 7.62. 

Also read: England coach McCullum: In Stokes, team has a ‘follow me’ type of captain

Only one of the two will make it to the final of IPL 2022 and Qualifier 2 might decide the result of an exciting purple cap race. 

Chahal and Hasaranga have been instrumental in their respective teams’ campaign this season. Their strike rates and economy are quite similar. The RR leggie has a hattrick and a fifer against his name this season, while the RCB bowler’s best figures are 18/5. 

Also read: Ravichandran Ashwin’s mantra for success: Method, madness and courage

However, their impact on the teams’ wins show Chahal’s dominance. The leg-spinner took 21 wickets in the nine matches Rajasthan emerged victorious in. He claimed a 4/41 against the Lucknow Super Giants, when his side was defending 162. The 31-year-old also registered a five-wicket haul against the Kolkata Knight Riders. The spell included a hattrick. 

Fifteen out of Hasaranga’s 24 wickets came in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s wins. He dismissed four batters against KKR for 20 runs. His fifer came against the SunRisers Hyderabad. 

Former India player Aakash Chopra, ahead of the Qualifier 2, predicted the Yuzi Chahal and Wanindu Hasaranga will have a big impact in Ahmedabad. 

Also read: Patidar’s ton to Harshal’s spell: Key takeaways from RCB’s win vs LSG

“Chahal and Hasaranga will together take more than 3 wickets. It is a big ground in Ahmedabad, there are chances of getting wickets here with leg spin, there is a possibility,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel. 

The fight for the purple cap is on.